Epilepsy-related knowledge and attitudes toward people with epilepsy among hospital staff in Van City, Turkey

The level of knowledge and exhibited attitudes of hospital staff may affect the quality of healthcare for people with epilepsy, and they may have a direct impact on epilepsy stigma in the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge and attitudes of hospital staff regarding epilepsy at a hospital located in the eastern side of Turkey. This study was conducted with 210 hospital staff working at Van Regional Educational and Training Hospital in Van, Turkey. Data regarding the demographics and familiarity with epilepsy were obtained. Epilepsy knowledge scale and epilepsy attitude scale were used to evaluate the level of knowledge and attitudes regarding epilepsy, respectively. The mean score of epilepsy knowledge scale was 11.3 ± 3.8 and the mean score of epilepsy attitude scale was 58.2 ± 6.3. The level of knowledge was positively associated with being familiar with epilepsy. Positive attitudes regarding epilepsy correlated with higher level of knowledge (p